Obtaining a Vanity License

Registering with CORES: The first thing that needs
to be done before filing an online application for a vanity call is to register
with CORES. As stated on their website: "If you wish to conduct business with the
FCC, you must first register through the FCC's COmmission REgistration
System (CORES). Upon registration, you will be assigned a FCC Registration
Number (FRN). This number will be used to uniquely identify you in all transactions
with the FCC."

Registering with CORES can be done by clicking
here
and following the online instructions.

Become familiar with valid call sign rules: It should
come as no surprise that all call signs are not created equal. Just as your particular
amateur radio license entitles you to only operate within certain frequencies, your
license also only entitles you to particular call sign groups and there are very
specific rules associated with each group. The following text was taken from the
FCC's site, the complete text of which can be found
here
. I would highly recommend that you follow the link to the sequential
call sign system and thoroughly familiarize yourself with the information found
there before you file your first application for a vanity call.

"A call sign is normally assignable two years following license expiration, surrender,
revocation, set aside, cancellation, void ab initio, or death of the grantee.
Where a vanity call sign for which the most recent recipient was ineligible is surrendered,
cancelled, revoked or voided, the two-year requirement does not apply. Refer to
the
Sequential Call Sign System
for how call signs are sequentially assigned and
the grouping and geographic region attributes of each call sign.

Any 2-by-3 format call sign having the letters KP, NP or WP as the prefix and
the numeral 0, 6, 7, 8 or 9;

Any 2-by-2 format call sign having the letters KP, NP or WP as the prefix and
the numeral 0, 6, 7, 8 or 9;

Any 2-by-1 format call sign having the letters KP, NP or WP as the prefix and
the numeral 0, 6, 7, 8 or 9;

Call signs having the single letter prefix (K, N or W), a single digit numeral
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and a single letter suffix are reserved for the special
event call sign system.

Using the Universal Licensing System (ULS): Although
you can file a request for a vanity call the old fashioned way, filing a paper form
request, I would recommend that you file your request online. If you prefer the
old fashioned way, you can find information on how to do that
here
.

You will find information on how to file online using the ULS here. I have
reproduced it here for your convenience.

Login to the ULS License Manager with your FCC Registration Number (FRN). Note:
Tax Payer Identification Numbers (TINs) can no longer be used to login to ULS, effective
December 14, 2003.

From your License At A Glance page, choose the Request Vanity Call Sign
link on the right hand menu called Work on this License.

Answer the Applicant Questions, and click Continue.

Select Eligibility Click in the radio button to the left of the eligibility requirement
under which you wish to apply for a vanity call sign:

Former primary station holder You are eligible to have the call sign which appears
on your primary license displayed on your new vanity license if you are a former
primary station holder.

Close relative of former holder You may display the call sign of a deceased spouse,
child, grandchild, stepchild, parent, grandparent, stepparent, brother, sister,
stepbrother, stepsister, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or in-law on your primary station
license.

Primary station preference list You may request one or more call signs that you
provide in the correct Commission format in the order of your preference. ULS will
validate the format of each call sign on your list in turn and select the first
call sign in the correct format which is not already assigned to another licensee.

Note: You cannot receive a vanity call sign from a call sign group for which your
operator class is not eligible. For example, if you are operator class T (technician),
you can only receive call signs from groups C & D. If you request a call sign
from groups A or B, your application will be dismissed by the Commission.

After making your choice, click the Continue button.

On the Licensee Information page, review and update all of your licensee information.
Make any corrections that are necessary. You must keep your address of record current
with the FCC. This address will be used to mail you all official correspondence
including your license and related information. When ready select Continue.

On the Summary page review the information you have entered. If you wish to make
additional changes, click the Edit button next to the section of your application
you wish to Edit. You will be able to return to that page of the application. Make
the desired change(s) and select the Return to Summary button.

When ready to submit your application to the Commission, choose the
Continue
to Certify
button.

After reading the certification, enter your first and last names and title if
appropriate in the boxes at the bottom of the page. You MUST sign the application.
When finished choose the Submit Application button.

From the ULS Confirmation screen, we recommend you print a copy of your application
and/or the Confirmation screen itself from your web browser.

Note: The address and contact information you have entered in CORES registration
will not be automatically associated with your licenses. To change the address or
other contact information on your license, you must update your information in ULS
or submit Form 605 (edition date of July 2005 or later) manually.

After submitting the application form, you will receive a file number.

Extra Exam

Question: E3B01

Question: What is transequatorial propagation?

Propagation between two mid-latitude points at approximately the same distance north and south of the magnetic equator

Propagation between any two points located on the magnetic equator

Propagation between two continents by way of ducts along the magnetic equator

Propagation between two stations at the same latitude

Correct Answer: A

For more questions that might appear on an Amateur Radio license examination, click on the "practice exams" link on the left panel.